Second man arrested in connection with Amber Alert

DeFUNIAK SPRINGS — A second suspect has been arrested in connection with the October Amber Alert out of Walton County, according to a the Walton County Sheriff’s Office.

On Oct. 28 Joseph Harding, 35, and Paul Lewis Vaughan, 39, allegedly entered a home on Otter Pond Road on Oct. 28 and took Rebecca Harding, 33, and Gracie Harding, 2, by force and with weapons. The two men then fled with the victims in a red Ford mustang, the Sheriff's Office reported.

Several law enforcement agencies searched for the woman and girl, including the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Holmes, Jackson, Bay and Geneva County, Alabama, sheriff's offices.

Rebecca and Gracie were found unharmed several hours later in Samson, Alabama.

Vaughan was found and booked into the Walton County Jail on Nov. 15, where he is being held on $50,000 bond, the Sheriff's Office reported. Harding was arrested Monday evening in Holmes County and has been charged with aggravated assault.